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Since 1949, HistoryMaker Homes has built thoughtfully designed homes that adapt to customers’ evolving needs and unique lifestyles, leading to 20 vibrant communities in and around Dallas-Fort Worth. With over 75 years of experience, HistoryMaker’s combination of unparalleled expertise and unwavering commitment to quality spanning five generations of family ownership has helped shape the homebuilding standard here in North Texas.

After building a lasting legacy in the state’s largest homebuilding market, HistoryMaker launched a statewide expansion effort into other top Texas housing markets, including Houston and San Antonio. Cooksey was responsible for developing a strategic communications campaign to support HistoryMaker’s growth outside of North Texas, highlighting the company’s differentiators that set it apart from its competitors.

industry

real estate

services

key message development
market entries
marketing strategy & planning
media relations
special events
thought leadership positioning

the challenge

Standing Out in a Competitive Texas Homebuilding Market

In an industry that features thousands of homebuilders throughout the state, many of which boast similar deep commitments to quality, innovation and personalized customer care, HistoryMaker needed an agency partner to highlight its key attributes that distinguish the company from its homebuilder counterparts, particularly those in untapped markets like Houston and San Antonio. Those key attributes include five generations of family ownership, more than seven decades of Texas homebuilding experience and as a result, a unique, proven ability to adapt to market changes and a strong sense of trust among customers.

the strategy

Position HistoryMaker as a Leading Statewide Homebuilder Through Targeted External Messaging, Thought Leadership Opportunities and Awards Competitionsegional Growth Trends

Cooksey implemented a robust strategic communications plan that included key message development, media relations, thought leadership positioning, numerous award nominations in regional, statewide and industry-specific competitions and special, community-focused events. Together, these elements strengthened and spread HistoryMaker’s legacy as the oldest and most trusted family-owned homebuilder in the state beyond the North Texas region and into both South Texas and the Upper Gulf Coast.

the solution

Leverage HistoryMaker’s Deep North Texas Roots to Fuel Statewide Expansion

Cooksey’s established relationships with regional media in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, as well as national and real estate trade media, helped introduce HistoryMaker to new markets and customer bases, cementing its legacy as a nation-leading homebuilder. Cooksey secured multiple pieces of national television and online coverage, including ABC’s Good Morning America, Associated Press, NPR and People Magazine, for the new home HistoryMaker built for national civil rights activist, Opal Lee, known as “The Grandmother of Juneteenth,” at the family’s historic property in Fort Worth in June 2024. Additionally, Cooksey earned coverage in some of San Antonio’s and Houston’s most prominent regional publications and real estate trades about HistoryMaker’s southern expansion. That includes both the San Antonio and Houston Business Journals, San Antonio Express-News, MySA, Houston Chronicle, The Real Deal, Texas Real Estate Business and Builder Magazine.

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When ELM Companies, an Illinois-based microgrid and solar technology manufacturer, sought to expand its footprint in North Texas, brand recognition was relatively low. The company, launched in 1998, had customers in more than 100 countries and employees in 22 U.S. states, yet public relations had not been a priority. Anticipating the opening of its new 125,000-square-foot facility in The Colony, ELM engaged Cooksey to ensure the right people were in the room—and Cooksey delivered, with city leaders as speakers and top-tier media coverage.

industry

energy & power

services

corporate social responsibility
market entries
media relations
special events
thought leadership positioning

the challenge

Building Brand Awareness for a Cleantech Newcomer

With its business-friendly economy and abundant sun, Texas leads the nation in solar generation. Competition among solar energy and clean technology players can be fierce, so capturing market share requires brands to stand out from the pack. Securing media coverage and creating relationships with relevant audiences and opinion leaders across sectors called for an agency partner with impactful connections.

the strategy

Positioning an Innovative Manufacturer for Market Entry

Cooksey prepared and distributed press releases and pitches on ELM’s advancements and installations to local, national and industry media while simultaneously building stakeholder lists and conducting community outreach to announce milestones over a period of nine months leading up to the grand opening. Additionally, Cooksey developed key messages and web copy to position ELM’s energy storage solutions for the growing electric vehicle market.

the solution

Convening Stakeholders and Garnering Media Coverage for Reputational Benefit

Cooksey assisted ELM in crafting press releases, remarks and other collateral for key milestones in its North Texas expansion, leading to 89 articles over an eight-month period. Cooksey also secured prime placements in The Dallas Morning News for the announcement and opening of ELM’s new manufacturing and distribution center, attended by more than 100 guests, staff and their families, in April 2024. Cooksey also provided strategic connections to the local business community and workforce training providers at Tarrant County College and North Central Texas College, laying the groundwork for ELM’s continued North Texas expansion.

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Founded by a group of Dallas teachers in 1931, Credit Union of Texas has provided financial services to members throughout North Texas for nearly 100 years, offering nearly 20 branches throughout the region. In addition to continuing to grow its North Texas footprint, the company recently began market expansions throughout East Texas beginning in Gilmer, Texas, which also includes the credit union’s first Commercial Solutions Center with numerous others planned. Cooksey was tasked with developing a strategic communications program to elevate CUTX’s brand in a competitive North Texas landscape and introduce it to its new East Texas audience.

industry

professional services

services

crisis communications & issues management
key message development
market entries
marketing strategy & planning
media relations
thought leadership positioning

the challenge

Highlight How CUTX’s Community Engagement Model Builds Trust

Many financial institutions boast a commitment to their communities, especially credit unions, making it difficult to stand out in the public eye. In addition, with CUTX’s focus on secondary markets, earning the trust of local residents in these smaller markets is essential for long-term success. For CUTX to successfully grow its presence throughout North and East Texas, the credit union needed an agency partner to help highlight its differentiators, including its emphasis on corporate social responsibility and its unique community engagement model.

the strategy

Establish CUTX as a Leader in the Credit Union Space Through Strategic External Communications, Timely Thought Leadership and Strategic Awards Competitions

As a trusted partner to CUTX, Cooksey deployed a strategic communications plan that includes elements focused on showcasing CUTX’s community engagement model. These efforts included media relations support, developing thought leadership content and managing an extensive awards nomination program to bolster CUTX’s credibility, showcase its industry expertise and feature its member-focused initiatives.

the solution

Leverage CUTX’s Community Efforts to Propel Its Growth

Through strong relationships with local, community-based and financial trade media, Cooksey earns coverage in some of the North and East Texas region’s most prominent publications about CUTX’s efforts in each of the communities it serves, including The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Business Journal, D CEO, Tyler Morning Telegraph, The Financial Brand, Credit Union Times and CU Today. Cooksey also develops and places bylines that highlight CUTX’s community engagement efforts in key credit union publications. Furthermore, Cooksey facilitated CUTX’s entry into the IABBB International Torch Award for Ethics and Dallas Business Journal Leaders in Diversity Award, which it was awarded, the D CEO Corporate Citizenship Awards and its recognition as Business of the Year by the Allen Chamber of Commerce. CUTX CEO Eric Pointer also received the CRMNEXT Right on the Money Award, which celebrates innovation and ingenuity among credit union leaders, for CUTX’s work in its various communities.

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American National Bank of Texas, founded in 1875 in Terrell, Texas, first contacted Cooksey in March 2023 for advisory services and PR support. Cooksey’s scope of work has grown to cover more strategic communications services, including an integrated marketing and communications plan, messaging, media relations, community relations and philanthropic engagement. ANBTX has leveraged Cooksey’s wins, including top-tier media coverage, to grow its reputation throughout North Texas. Cooksey has also helped ANBTX make strategic relationships to expand into emerging markets, including Southern Dallas County.

industry

professional services

services

corporate social responsibility
market entries
media relations
thought leadership positioning

the challenge

Transforming a Traditional Brand into an Impactful Innovator

Positioning a traditional company for emerging opportunities calls for cultural change and organizational readiness. The bank’s leadership has made strides in its internal and external communication practices. Cooksey is focused on making the bank’s marketing and communications efforts more cohesive. Cooksey works alongside Imaginuity, ANBTX’s advertising agency, to better align messaging.

the strategy

Leveraging Media Coverage and CSR Strategy for Community Impact

Cooksey has supported ANBTX on several initiatives. This includes PR strategy, executive positioning, media training, developing a framework for corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts and drafting press releases about ANBTX’s Ignite Home Loan Program and its ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence in South Dallas.

the solution

Elevating Brand Awareness to Further Financial Inclusion and Change Lives

ANBTX is committed to serving and strengthening their communities, not only through providing best-in-class financial services from local North Texas bankers, but also through volunteerism, affordable homeownership, financial education and economic support. Cooksey will continue to highlight the bank’s community partners, charitable organizations and civic organizations, so ANBTX can grow relationships with local communities, customers and those in need of financial services, guidance and education.